Many eyes turned to CNN Wednesday night for its “Stand Up” town hall event, which allowed survivors of the mass shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to confront lawmakers and lobbyists. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County and NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch received the most screen time, though Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Ted Deutch, both Democrats, were also present.

Stoneman Douglas students and victims’ family members took the stage to confront the lawmakers and leaders about gun control in the emotional event. Rubio and Loesch received the most intense criticism (Rubio was booed upon his introduction, and Loesch exited the town hall to chants of “Shame on you!”), with some Twitter commenters arguing that the teens were able to ask such sharp questions because, unlike journalists, “they don’t need to worry about losing access.”

Watch video clips from the town hall below.

Marco Rubio:

Dana Loesch:

Scott Israel:

Bill Nelson:

Ted Deutch:

–Posted by Emma Niles

Your support is crucial...

As we navigate an uncertain 2025, with a new administration questioning press freedoms, the risks are clear: our ability to report freely is under threat.

Your tax-deductible donation enables us to dig deeper, delivering fearless investigative reporting and analysis that exposes the reality beneath the headlines — without compromise.

Now is the time to take action. Stand with our courageous journalists. Donate today to protect a free press, uphold democracy and uncover the stories that need to be told.

SUPPORT TRUTHDIG